Stone County, Mississippi is situated in South East Mississippi. Stone County is immediately north of Harrison County and is only a 20-30 minute drive from the stunning Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Stone County Seat is Wiggins.

In 1820 the first settlers of European descent began to settle into the area that became the Stone County that we know now, Mississippi was quite a different place.

American Indians that were part of the Houma Indian tribe settled here first. The Houma Indian tribe was decimated by warfare with the much bigger Choctaw Indian Nation around 1800 and the surviving Houma Indians ultimately became an integral part of the Choctaw Indian Nation.

When Mississippi became a State in 1817, a substantial population of Choctaw Indians lived in what's now Stone County.

A Lt. Col. John Bond, a very experienced early North American explorer, was one of the initial settlers in this area. Col. Bond composed a message in 1823 to his family that described this area. Col. Bond indicated that the Indians were quite friendly and were always eager to trade their own products to Col. Bond in exchange for merchandise that Col Bond had usage of. Col. Bond prompted his Family to go to the area that they managed to do in 1825 where in fact the family prospered. Col. Bond received mail three times a month from the United States Post Office in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The Native American Indians had also planted orchards of native Pecan trees in the cleared areas close to their villages which were located along the Red Creek in what's now Stone County.

Prior to the development of the timber industry in Southern Mississippi in the 1870’s, a lot of this part of Mississippi was covered by a vast Virgin Pine Forest. Multiple historical accounts described the capability to run a horse for miles through these woodlands because there is so little under brush.

For countless generations, the Native American Indians had ignited managed fires within this ancient woods which caused the Native Wood Grass to be quite tender and attract the large number of Buffalo that grazed in this area. These managed fires that removed the underbrush within the huge Virgin Pine Forest also retarded the spread of un-controllable fires that were ignited by lightning strikes. The need for this practice has only become recently known because of the tremendous fires in the Western United States that have waged uncontrollable because the practice of reducing the underbrush in large tracts of forests was abandoned when the Native American Indians that once lived in these forests were re-located to Reservations significantly distant from their native lands.

In 1833, the U.S. Army came to the region now called Stone County. Native American Indians that refused to become United States residents were relocated to Oklahoma where they suffered much suffering in what ended up being the infamous Trail of Tears’. Only 15-20 Native American Indian families made the decision to be United States residents and remained in this area. Interestingly, the State of Oklahoma was named after a lovely Indian maiden who was born in to the Houma Indian tribe before this tribe become assimiliated into the much larger Choctaw nation. Her name was Okla.

Wild life was abundant in what is known today as Stone County. 30,000 Buffalos were thought to have roamed free when Mississippi became a State in 1817. In 1817, the bear population in Mississippi was estimated to be 500,000. And, in 1817 the Wolf population in South Mississippi by itself was thought to be 25,000. The Wolf River in neighboring Hancock County can be an indicator of the once abundant Wolf population in South Mississippi.

Stone County, Mississippi was created in 1916 from the northern part of Harrison County. Stone County was designated after the former Mississippi Governor, John M. Stone. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Stone County was estimated to be 17,786 in 2010.

Stone County offers home owners who live here spectacular natural scenery. And, although Stone County is a 20 minute drive at most from the Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches, the expense of owning a home here is more affordable than real estate offered in coastal communities situated in Jackson, Harrison, and Hancock counties. And, Stone County is far enough north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast that the effects of violent weather caused by hurricanes is significantly lessened.

In fact, since post-hurricane Katrina 2005, Stone Countys high elevation, and rapid travel to both Gulfport and Biloxi have led to the construction of numerous, modern residential sub-divisions. The building standards of these homes is great, however the cost is more affordable than equivalent properties that are located in nearby Harrison County at much lower elevations above sea level.

Stone County features the nearby Desoto National Forest which provides over ½ million acres of magnificent outdoor scenic wonders. Mississippi’s only federally specified Wild and Scenic River includes the Black Creek water shed which is in near Stone County. Stone County also features the Pascagoula River Basin which is Mississippi’s second largest basin. This basin drains a location that is around 1,000 square miles that ultimately drains into the Gulf of Mexico. The beautiful Red Creek flows through the southern part of Stone County. The last unregulated major river system beyond Alaska is contained within the Pascagoula River Basin. Two major tributaries are situated in Stone County.

Recreational activities abound near Stone County, Mississippi. Over 100 square miles of unspoiled wilderness awaits nature lovers. 41 miles of federally preserved hiking paths follow the stunning Black Creek. Fresh water angling, camping, canoeing, swimming, tubing, picnicking, horseback and ATV driving are always close by in woodlands that have a teaming ecosystem that features a large assortment of wild birds. For those who enjoy hunting, Stone County has an plethora of deer, turkey, quail, and rabbit.

Stone County is conveniently located and is a ninety minute journey to New Orleans. Stone County is only a 25 mile drive south to the white fine sand Mississippi Gulf Coast beaches, a huge array of great restaurants, and the exhilaration of 24-hour non-stop casino resorts.

Whether you've planned to relocate with your loved ones or are searching for a quiet beach get-a-way, I want to assist you with your home ownership investment in Stone County, MS and walk you through the time consuming procedures of looking for that unique property.